This powerful oil on canvas, completed in 1863, sparked significant controversy when it was first displayed at the Salon de Refuses. Its depiction of a nude female alongside fully clothed men was considered an affront to the prevailing social norms of the era. The stark contrast between the woman's nudity and the men's attire was particularly shocking to viewers. Adding to the scandal, Manet chose familiar models for his figures. The nude woman is a blend of his wife, Suzanne Leenhoff, and another model, Victorine Meurent, while the men are identified as his brother, Eugene Manet, and his brother-in-law, Ferdinand Leenhoff. Beyond the visual shock, the work was also deemed controversial for illustrating the rampant prostitution prevalent in Paris at the time. This was a subject considered deeply taboo, making its display on such a grand scale even more provocative and challenging for its contemporary audience.